We trace our roots back to humble beginnings in the vibrant heart of New York City. It all started when Founder & President Dan Dumsha, residing in the downtown east side with his husband Jon, found himself immersed in the city's creative energy.

 

Fueled by his passion for improvisational theater, Dan launched the acclaimed Dirty Little Secrets Improv Show. One night, one of Jon's colleagues attended the show and recognized the potential of applying improv techniques to support Parkinson's patients. This sparked a collaboration, marking the inception of our journey. Through workshops at Mount Sinai Hospital, we witnessed firsthand the transformative power of improv beyond the stage, igniting a mission to extend its benefits to diverse communities.

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Upon returning to Vancouver, British Columbia, our commitment to using improv to inspire wellness deepened. Collaborating first with Vancouver TheatreSports and the Improv Comedy Institute, and later built within Tightrope Impro Theatre, we expanded our programs beyond Parkinson's, embracing initiatives like The UnBlockables for people who stutter, Weekly Dose of Laugher for Alzheimer's folks and caregivers, and Improv for Brain Health at the University of British Columbia.

 

Our Improv for Work programs draw on Dan's extensive 15 year corporate leadership experience as a trusted Executive Coach, Senior Consultant, Keynote Speaker, Facilitator, and Head of Talent Development. Dan built and led the integration of custom improv training for the workplace with Tightrope Theatre from 2020-2023. This venture unearthed a profound realization: the invaluable role of improv to boost confidence in effective communication, innovation, and team cohesion in professional settings.

 

Driven by this insight and fueled by collaborations spanning Vancouver and New York City, Improv For Work & Wellness emerged as an independent entity in January 2024 with Improv for Wellness being established as a not-for-profit society. All programs and coaching delivered through Improv for Work help support the administration and delivery of our Improv for Wellness programs.